Mark Bailey: Scaling up a garden

If a gardener wants to produce the maximum amount of food possible, they are likely going to outgrow the limited space of raised-bed gardening. Scaling up to a much larger garden space presents both benefits and new challenges. Generally, as the garden size increases, so, too, do the potential problems — and especially the time and effort. With a little planning, a bigger garden does not necessarily translate into proportionally increased work. 

Perhaps the first question to ask oneself is why an increased garden size is necessary. What is a realistic size that a gardener could expect to manage? If more food from the garden is the goal, then maximizing the yield is as important as maximizing the gardening space. A large garden space is not always easy to come by, so attention should be given to where a large garden plot is located and how it’s set up. Before the garden plot's dimensions are determined, the first consideration should be access to direct sunlight throughout the day. The angle and duration of sunlight greatly vary throughout the year, so consider establishing the garden plot in a location with consistent access to sunlight. Once a suitable location has been chosen, mark out the dimensions of the new plot and take a soil sample. A soil sample will provide essential information about the pH of the soil, which affects the plant’s ability to access nutrients, and existing nutrient content. Once known, appropriate soil amendments can be added following the soil-sample recommendations. 

The garden location and soil characteristics will inform the gardener of which crops or perennial plants are most suitable for that location. It’s all too common for novice gardeners to choose plants they want to grow with no regard for what the land is best suited for. The next step is to remove all weeds, grass or nearby undesirable plants. This is where significant challenges begin to occur. In a new or expanded garden plot in native soil, the surface area exposed to weed pressure could be far greater than what is found in a raised bed. A plan for controlling weeds is best to have in place before the first seed is planted. Hand weeding is backbreaking, so consider a stirrup hoe or a garden tiller for between rows. One of the best ways to prevent excessive weed pressure is to have an efficient irrigation system installed. 

Drip tape for each row of crops is ideal because it efficiently irrigates specific rows rather than a wide area, as would happen with overhead sprinklers. If the weed seeds in the soil come in contact with little or no water, such as through irrigation, the problem either does not occur at all or is greatly diminished. Also, larger garden plots require a lot more water, and hand watering is extremely costly for both time and labor. Drip tape, combined with an automated timer or even a moisture or rain sensor, can further reduce the time a gardener needs to tend to a garden. When setting up an automated irrigation timer, it is important to take into consideration the irrigation output over time, the soil type and the needs of the plant. Excessive irrigation, especially in sandy soil, can quickly leach nutrients out of the root zone of the crops, so only irrigate using the minimum amount of water necessary for the crop to thrive. 

Pest control in a large garden starts with healthy, vigorously growing plants that have pest- and disease-resistant characteristics. Carefully select varieties that have natural resistance to common pests and diseases to reduce both the pesticide use and effort required to apply the pesticides. Also, the use of insecticides can further be reduced or eliminated by planting diverse crops and attracting natural predators. Whether working to prevent diseases or pests, it is best to use an “integrated pest management” approach that considers prevention as a top priority and the use of all available management options. 

A scaled-up garden will, indeed, present new and greater challenges when compared to raised-bed gardening; however, if carefully planned and implemented, a large garden plot has the potential to be far more rewarding. 

For more information, call the Marion County Extension office at 671-8400 or email ironhill@ufl.edu.

— Mark Bailey is the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Extension Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Marion County. For more information, contact the Marion County office at 671-8400. The Extension Service is located at 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL 34470.